Like many of you, my head and heart are heavy with the weight of this moment. Our political, social, and professional terrains feel uncertain, and when that happens, I turn to the people who inspire me—those whose wisdom steadies, whose presence reminds me of why I do this work.

On Wednesday night, I walked into the CooleyED Bay Area EdTech Summit and was reminded of the power of community. One of my sheroes, a former colleague and beacon of clarity—Jamienne (Jamie) Studley—was one of the speakers.

Jamie spoke with her usual brilliance, offering insights into the current policy landscape and the implications for those of us building solutions to empower students, educators, and institutions. Naomi May, one of Beyond 12's incredible partners at Cooley, was a skilled and thoughtful facilitator. She guided the conversation with intention, asking questions that cut to the heart of the matter.

As the discussion wound down, Naomi led Jamie through a round of rapid-fire questions—fun, lighthearted, meant to close the evening with laughter. Her final question for Jamie was simple:

"If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?"

Jamie paused, then answered:

"A free and just United States."

The room stilled. Jamie’s voice caught. My eyes welled. And I felt it—a collective exhale, a moment of shared longing.

I haven’t stopped thinking about Jamie’s words this week. Because isn’t that the goal? The work? The purpose? A country that doesn’t just promise freedom but delivers it? A nation where justice isn’t conditional but guaranteed? We should want nothing less.

Thank you, Naomi. Thank you, Jamie. And thank you to all who are standing, fighting, and building toward the future we all deserve.

In community,

Alex

Founder & CEO, Beyond 12

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